Guenther Steiner warns against sacking Christian Horner amid Red Bull’s struggles and the teams’ unexpected downturn After an extended period of dominance in Formula One, Red Bull Racing is facing a challenging 2024 season. The remarkable success of recent years has given way to a significant slump, with the team struggling to keep pace with rivals who have made impressive strides forward.
This sudden drop in performance has led to growing speculation and criticism of Red Bull’s management and direction, with rumours of possible personnel changes, including Horner himself.
Among those commenting on Red Bull’s current situation is former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner. Known for his outspoken opinions and straightforward style, Steiner believes that while change may be inevitable, one person who should remain untouched is team principal Christian Horner.
In a recent interview, Steiner advised Red Bull to think twice before making any drastic moves regarding Horner’s future.
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Guenther Steiner: Critical of Red Bull, supportive of Horner
Steiner, a long-standing figure in the paddock, now serves as a commentator and analyst, offering his expertise to RTL viewers and fans through various media platforms. In an interview with GPBlog, Steiner acknowledged the team’s struggles and admitted that Red Bull’s drop in performance did not come as a shock. He pointed out that in F1, criticism is always close at hand when a team’s results start to falter.
“As soon as things don’t go well for a team, people start pointing fingers,” said Steiner, stressing that the intense scrutiny is something any dominant team faces when success slips away.
While Steiner wouldn’t speculate on the exact cause of Red Bull’s current problems, he didn’t deny that there could be internal challenges affecting the team’s performance.
“Obviously there is some internal unrest. There is no denying that. Every day there are reports in the press that something has happened again,” said Steiner, referring to the constant rumours and negative headlines surrounding the Milton Keynes-based outfit. However, he urged caution when it comes to personnel changes, stressing that sacking key figures could do more harm than good.
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“Don’t sack Horner: Steiner’s advice to Red Bull
One of the central figures at the heart of Red Bull Racing’s success over the years has been Christian Horner, who has served as team principal since 2005.
Under Horner’s leadership, Red Bull went from being a mid-tier team to one of the sport’s powerhouses, winning multiple Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships. Despite this legacy, Horner has not been immune to criticism as the team’s performance has waned in recent months. However, Steiner is adamant that Horner should not be dismissed, insisting that his track record speaks for itself.
“I would not recommend it [sacking Horner],” Steiner said firmly. “Christian, as much as we can criticise him, has not done a bad job over the last few years. He has not gone stupid from one day to the next.”
Steiner’s comments reflect a belief that Horner’s leadership should not be questioned on the basis of one difficult season, especially after he has steered the team to such success. According to Steiner, Red Bull still have a competitive package, even if they are no longer at the absolute front of the grid.
“Yes, Red Bull no longer have the fastest car in the field, but they are not last either. They still have the third or fourth fastest car,” explained Steiner. His point is clear: even in a difficult season, Red Bull remain competitive, and with Horner at the helm, they may be able to regain their form in the near future.
The complex Formula One landscape: Red Bull’s rivals on the rise
As Steiner alluded to, Red Bull’s decline may not be solely the result of internal mismanagement or mistakes. Formula 1 is an ever-evolving sport, with teams constantly pushing the boundaries of performance and innovation. Several of Red Bull’s rivals have made significant strides this year, most notably Mercedes, Ferrari and Aston Martin, who have all entered improved cars capable of challenging for podiums and wins.
It’s not uncommon in F1 for the competitive balance to shift dramatically from one season to the next, depending on how well teams interpret and implement changes in regulations and technology.
While Red Bull remain a formidable force, they can no longer rely on the technical superiority they enjoyed in previous seasons, particularly during their reign with Max Verstappen and the dominant RB18 and RB19 cars. Steiner acknowledges this reality and points to the performance of Red Bull’s rivals as a key factor in the current standings.
“The competition has caught up and that’s part of the game in Formula One,” said Steiner.
“It’s not just about what Red Bull is doing wrong, but also what others are doing right.”
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Can Red Bull recover? Steiner remains optimistic
Despite Red Bull’s difficult season, Steiner remains optimistic that the team can recover from this slump and re-establish themselves as championship leaders. He warned that while there may be internal struggles and pressure from within and outside the team, decisions regarding leadership and personnel should be carefully considered.
“Let’s see if they can bounce back,” Steiner said, suggesting that Red Bull’s fortunes may not be as dire as some have suggested. He stressed that a team of Red Bull’s calibre still has the resources and talent to bounce back, provided they avoid rash decisions and maintain stability where it matters most – in the leadership team.
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Red Bull’s future: Stability vs. change
As Red Bull faces mounting pressure to respond to its underwhelming performance, the temptation to make significant changes may be difficult to resist. In a fiercely competitive environment like F1, where success is measured in fractions of a second and small margins, teams are often quick to react when results start to slip.
However, Steiner’s perspective offers a valuable counterpoint: maintaining stability in key positions, especially in management, can be just as important as addressing technical and performance issues on the track.
Christian Horner’s long tenure at Red Bull has been a cornerstone of their success, and Steiner’s warning suggests that removing him could create more problems than it solves.
For Red Bull, the road ahead is likely to require both introspection and innovation. The team will need to analyse where they’ve fallen behind their rivals and make the necessary adjustments to their car, strategy and development processes. But if Steiner’s advice is heeded, one thing is clear: Christian Horner’s role at the helm should remain secure, at least for the time being.
As Formula One continues its relentless march forward, Red Bull will need to find the right balance between change and continuity. And in the ever-changing world of motorsport, where fortunes can change with every race, that decision could make all the difference to their future success.
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